Language Barriers

In retrospect, Pony Tsunotori of class 1-B should have known better. Its not that she did not see this coming, but she was as gullible as they came. She was not the brightest girl around, nor was she the prettiest in her eyes. Being a foreigner in a country that had such high standards as well as customs and culture; she was at a loss the majority of the time. In short, Pony Tsunotori actually did not think highly of herself. For the majority of her life, she has been alone. And none of this was by choice.

You see, life often sucks, rather, it fucking sucks. Life for Pony has sucked since she was five, and only now had it gotten marginally better.

She could barely remember her birth parents. Being four years old when they had died. It was something she did not like to think deeply about for obvious reasons; as one could imagine. That fateful day had set off a domino effect that would ultimately lead to a torture that she had to endure.

Having no relatives to turn to to essentially adopt and take her in. Pony was stuck into the system at the ripe age of five. The system of foster care is not perfect, nor is it suitable for a young girl with such an abnormal and body altering quirk. Pony counted herself lucky that she had not ended up in an abusive or otherwise mentally harmful environment when with her many foster families. She had seen and heard of the tons of horror stories the others would talk about.

Pony was stuck with average families, many of which were just young parents believing they were doing something good. Of course, none of them actually wanted to 'keep her'. As the high of caring for a child usually wore off for many of them after just a month. That one month was usually okay for Pony, she would not say it was bad, but it was not good either.

She had given up on finding any kind of family that would want her; and that belief came about when she was eight. By then she had gone through twelve separate families, but the results were always the same. So why should she hold onto hope when no one would want to hold onto her?

Saddening as the notion was, those were seldom moments of normality for her when she was with those families. It offered her relief, but only for a moment. When it came to getting along with the other kids in the orphanages. Those times with those ignorant families were a blessing.

Having animal based legs that heavily resembled a horses rear legs, a tail, and horns longer than her actual head. She was the target of many teasings, if one could even call it that. It also did not help that her heavily pale complexion, large bright blue eyes, and pointed ears added to the barrage of what she believed to be wrong with her. She learned to hide her ears behind her thick blonde hair, but the other things were impossible to keep hidden. She tried hiding her tail at a point, but it would only bring her pain as her clothing would irritate and compress it to an unbearable level.

After being called so many demeaning and hurtful things, it was no wonder Pony found herself to be such a sensitive girl with no actual worth. However, she hid it well. She used to let their words get to her and she would cry loudly as they continued to tease and torment her. But those days were long past her, yet the damage to her self worth and image was exponential.

That was her time in America luckily enough. She eventually managed to get a lucky break here in Japan. She got into a program that allowed her to live in another country, try a start somewhere else. It was only available for those who did well in school and were well behaved, like she somehow managed to do. It also helped that she reached the age to qualify for said program, that being twelve. The opportunity practically fell on her lap, but she knew she was bumped up above the rest because of her good standing with the orphanage's head mistress then. That's also kind of why the others were tormenting her as she was the obvious favorite, though Pony did not really want to be.

In any case, that life of torment was left behind for her in America, and she found some solace in Japan's own system. It was still heavily flawed that mainly catered to young children, unlike her, but she already was used to the notion that she was just going to stay here till she turned eighteen and was ultimately thrown out into the streets.

The 'home' she stayed at now was actually normal in a sense. Though she did not have a family to call her own, she was housed in a building/house with about ten other kids that she got along with. She is the oldest of them all by at least two years. Luckily the head mistress here was nice and loving even at such a fragile and old age. So compared to America, Pony was at least happy with where she was now.

As for how she got into U.A? That was nothing but luck, plain and simple. She had mediocre grades at best, as moving to Japan so suddenly set her below everyone else practically; but she had always wanted to be a hero. It was something she never talked about with others, but her main reasoning behind it was to help those like her as best she could. She could have gone a different route and become a key member of helpers or something of that sort within the foster care system. But being a professional hero had a better ring to it. Not to mention, hopefully by the time she was eighteen and already a certified professional hero, she would have a place to go, and not just the streets into homelessness.

So when it came time to submit her application into U.A. imagine her surprise when she was offered the chance to take the exams. How that happened she did not know but she figured it had to do with her somewhat, yet very true sob story about her life and what being a hero meant to her. And well the rest was history, albeit by her barely passing both exams. It all paid off though from where she now stood, but the situation she found herself in now was anything but pleasant.

The mad cackling of Monoma always irked the hell out of her, but she did not distaste the guy.

So she was not all too surprised when Itsuka came around, and dealt a swift chop to Monoma after she wrongly said something she should not have. Japanese being her second language, she did not fail to notice the uncomfortable and shocked faces of class 1-A as they looked her way at what she had said. Of course, Itsuka hurriedly scolded Monoma and apologized to their sister class. As well as offering an apology to Pony for letting Monoma out of her sights once again.

Pony sighed.

She wondered what she had said this time? She always found it odd that she still would listen to whatever Monoma would tell her to say. She knew most of the time it was going to be something rude or distasteful. It reminded her of some of the kids who made her life hell in the American orphanages. Though she always gave her classmate the benefit of the doubt. She could tell there was no malice in his tone or ill intentions, but time and time again she fell for it.

Just goes to show how stupid and gullible she felt she was.

Pony uncomfortably fidgeted in her seat, her hands idly poking at one another as her classmates offered her sympathetic looks.

"WHAT A STARTLING CONCLUSION! OCHACO URARAKA IS OUT! KATSUKI BAKUGO MOVES ONTO THE NEXT ROUND!"

Pony felt her pointed ears sting as the crowd roared and cheered. She clutched them close and looked about the stadium in slight alarm. She could see many of the audience had looks of distaste or indifference on their faces due to the battle, particularly the side in which the heroes were seated.

Pony could barely make out class 1-A themselves applauding and shouting each of their classmates names. Having such sensitive ears, Pony heard an audible ring in her ear canals as the cheering eventually died down.

"IN THIRTY MINUTES WE WILL HAVE THE NEXT MATCH! SO DON'T GO ANYWHERE FOLKS"

Pony gave an audible sigh of relief.

"Hey Tsunotori, are you alright?"

"Hmm?" She felt herself hum as she looked over to who called her.

"I noticed you cover your ears again, guessing it's too loud?" Yanagi questioned.

Pony chuckled sheepishly. "Yeah it hurts. Too loud sometimes." She explained as best she could.

Yanagi gave her a questioning look, though her stoic appearance detailed otherwise. "Care to humor me?" She questioned.

Pony gave her a scrunched look. "Humor you?"

Yanagi nodded. "Yes. Can I ask you a question?"

Pony took a moment to understand what her classmate had meant before she nodded slowly. "Yeah of course."

Yanagi pointed to her own ears. "I've noticed that even outside of this loud stadium. Sometimes in class you flinch or otherwise cover your ears when exposed to loud noises."

Pony nodded her head knowingly.

"You have stronger hearing than the rest of us correct? Or if anything your ears are more sensitive?"

Pony nodded once more.

"Huh, alright thanks for explaining Tsunotori."

Pony felt herself stare at the peculiar girl for a few seconds before shrugging herself. She expected, or at least figured Yanagi wanted to ask what her ears looked like. It's a question she had been asked before by others, and one she had denied the revelation to all the time. Only those in her 'home' now had seen that part of her and that's how she was going to keep it.

Pony liked her class sure, but she did not trust them like that yet. They never made fun of her, which was good, but of course they did question her about the many things about her quirk. Namely her horns and legs, but Pony always was honest as best she could be with them. She knew one day she would open up more, but as of now she left it as is.

Pony looked back out to the stadium grounds below, watching in slight interest as Cementoss casually rearranged the battle platform back into shape. She tried her best to forget the embarrassment she experienced minutes ago with Monoma, but nothing was really working. Mistakes, as she believed them to be, usually stung her deep. No matter how big or small, they did not help her already diminished opinion of herself. It always made her wonder if those American kids were right? Calling her slow and mentally challenged as such, and that was just putting it gently.

Pony took a deep breath, shaking her head slightly to rid her inner musings away. Those dark memories lead to bad things.

With the subtle clip clop of her hooves as they met the ground, she internally cringed at the sound they made.

"Tsunotori?"

Pony paused as she had already made her way away from her class, no real place in mind.

"Yes Itsu- AHG! Sorry, Kendo. Yes?" She chastised herself.

Itsuka offered her a kind smile. "Never mind, try and hurry on back wherever you're going, you don't want to miss Ibara's fight!"

Pony felt the words circulate around her head before they finally formed into a proper sentence she understood.

She smiled. "Of course!" She cheered honestly. "Just need to go to the girls room." She sheepishly explained.

Itsuka giggled, as well as a few of the other girls as they heard her adorable accent.

"Want me to join you?" Setsuna offered as she stood.

Pony shook her head. "It's okay. Need to walk for a minute, sorry. That okay?" She said guiltily.

Setsuna scoffed. "Bah! Don't worry your beautiful blonde head, I was just wondering if you wanted company. Have fun~"

Pony smiled and turned away from her classmates. Almost instantly, her smile dropped from her face as she disappeared into the many halls of the gargantuan sized stadium. Her hooves echoed loudly throughout the empty halls, no real destination in mind.

She counted herself blessed that the student wing halls were separated from the other main crowd as it allowed her to be alone in these never ending expanses of walkways. She often found herself lost in her thoughts when faced with her inner turmoils such as this. She knew if Monoma knew how his teasing affected her he would stop instantly, but she could not bring herself to say anything. She had always been meek and timid and not by choice. It had been ingrained in her through years of torment from others.

She knew if she talked about her problems to anyone for that matter, she would be well off, but that's never been easy. It's better to just keep it in and not say a thing. It's what she's always told herself.

And so Pony continued to walk, lost in her thoughts as her keen ears vaguely picked up Present Mic announcing that the next fight would begin in ten minutes.

"Who was fighting next again?" She found herself thinking as she turned a corner.

Imagine her surprise as she brushed shoulders with the number two hero as he turned the corner himself. She quickly tried to apologize but watched as the man seemingly ignored her as he stormed away with a more angered look on his face than he usually had.

As he turned another corner and out of her sight, the blonde teen shrugged her shoulders and continued on her way.

Only to walk face first into what looked like a green mop. She winced slightly as her forehead collided with the chin of said mop, but she remained standing. As for the unfortunate cleaning appliance, said mop fell to the floor with a yelp and slight hiss.

"Augh!"

Pony rubbed the sore spot on her head as she looked down to the ground in alarm.

Sitting on the ground in pain was someone she did not 'know know', but visually had seen before. He was from class 1-A, and moving quickly Pony reached downward to help the teen up.

"Oh my god! I'm sorry!" She squeaked as she grabbed him by the arm and yanked him onto his feet.

The action surprised the both of them as Izuku's was practically flung into the air, and Pony forgot in that split second to control her natural born strength.

The teen landed on his feet luckily enough, but not before Pony reached out and steadied him with both of her hands. The teen looked to be in a daze as his eyes comically swirled about in a cartoon like fashion.

It took a good minute for the teen to come to before he offered the girl a steadied string of apologies that made her head swirl.

"OhImsosorryIshouldhavelookedwhereIwasgoingbutIgotdistractedand-!"

Pony tuned him out for a few seconds as her mind tried it's best to keep up with all that he said. Since the teen was talking in Japanese, it only made it worse. It frustrated her slightly, but she also found it to be oddly endearing the way he went on a tangent. Almost like this was a trait he seemed to have.

In a bold move that surprised the both of them, Pony reached out a hand and laid it flat along the boy's mouth hoping to stop his nonsensical mumbling. It had the desired effect of shutting him up, but it also resulted in the boy blushing profusely as her hands felt the telltale feeling of his lips against her palm.

Pony felt herself blush as she removed her hand like she had laid it against a hot iron. Before she knew it, she was rapidly apologizing herself, but in English.

"Oh I'm so sorry! I know that was properly bad by Japanese standards! It's just you kept talking and talking and it was making my head hurt and I just wanted you to relax and shut up-!"

Now it was the boys turn to give her a curious look as he heard her talk on and on in English in such a rapid fashion. He would not admit out loud as of now, but her noticeable accent, and the way she spoke English was one of the cutest things he had ever heard.

His far off look confused her before she switched her language back to Japanese.

"S-Sorry! When I get nervous I speak English instead. Japanese not first language of me…" She said in a calmer but more embarrassed tone.

The boy remained silent for a few seconds before he started to chuckle soothingly. Pony felt herself staring deep into the teen as he chuckled in such a calming manner. She could not understand why her cheeks felt suddenly warmer.

His chucking came to a halt as he gave her a genuine smile. "Your Japanese is wonderful! I'd say you're doing really well!" He complimented.

Her cheeks grew redder, her pale skin making it that more noticeable. "T-Thank you…" She stuttered.

His look grew curious. "You're from 1-B correct? I believe your name is Pony Tsunotori?"

Her eyes widened. "You know my name?"

The teen nodded sheepishly. "Y-Yeah I know all of your classmates names...I think…" He paused as he motioned towards her horns. "You're easy to remember because of your horns, but in a good way!" He quickly assured.

She said nothing as she kept staring at him like he was some ghost. She only caught herself staring when she noticed he had started to fidget uncomfortably while under her prolonged gaze.

"O-Oh, ummm sorry I no remember your name…" She apologized. "But I saw you fighting that purple haired guy few rounds ago."

Her look grew even more embarrassed.

The teen chuckled as he nodded his head. "That's okay. My name is Izuku Midoriya, it's a pleasure to meet you Tsunotori." He bowed.

Pony gave him an odd look before she yelped in realization. She returned the subtle bow just as he did as he looked above her head.

"My match is about to start…" He said to himself as he offered her an apologetic look. "It was very nice meeting you Tsunotori, I'll see you around." He finished as he walked by her with a determined look.

Pony watched Izuku walk past her, a peculiar aura emanating from the teen. Before he turned and walked out of her sights, he stopped and turned around, giving her a nervous look.

"B-By the way your English is also a-amazing, I can tell it's y-your first language. See you around Tsunotori."

Pony eyes widened in awe and excitement as she looked at Izuku. She felt her cheeks grow ten times warmer as she watched to teen disappear from her sight. Her heart was racing, for what reason she did not know. She liked this feeling, whatever it was that overcame her. She wanted to keep talking to this boy now, and deity be damned she was going to do just that. All because of this chance encounter, Pony found something she could look forward too.

Pony prided herself in her speed. In fact, compared to all her classmates of 1-B. She was by far the fastest of all of them. She easily out ran, and out endured all of them five times over. It was a benefit of her quirk, or at least the mutation side of things.

So when Pony ran all the way back to where her class was, she heard a few yells as she practically stampeded to the edge of their section's railings. She stood on the tip toes of her hooves as she looked to the battleground below. She visibly relaxed when she saw Izuku approaching the middle part of the stadium. Her eyes were instantly on him. The look he had on his face looked so cold and strong. It was invigorating witnessing such a thing.

"Wow Tsunotori what's got you so excited?" Setsuna commented as she stood alongside the foreigner.

Pony pointed to the green haired boy below. "Izuku fighting next." She explained.

Setsuna raised a brow at this.

"Okay…?" She drawled our as she looked to the boy below.

He did not look particularly interesting. He was not hot, nor was he some kind of beefcake. Yet, she did think he did seem somewhat cute, in his own way. Setsuna tapped her fingers along the railings.

"So then why are you so excited then? If anything, the one you should be looking at is that hot piece of meat over there." She teased, pointing to another teen who had both red and white hair.

Pony ignored her classmates teasing and continued to look at Izuku with a tunneled look.

Why she was so interested in the boy, she could not explain. Of course, she figured it was because he spoke perfect English, albeit a noticeable accent. It was the first time in a long time she met someone who knew her native tongue as well as her. He spoke so clearly, she wondered if he himself was from America; but that's not what else interested her. There just seemed to be this kind energy that emanated off of him. When he complimented her Japanese, she genuinely felt his sincerity. No one had ever said her Japanese was well, or anything for that matter. Others just ignored it as best they could, or outright told her she needed a bit more practice. His simple comment, even if he might have not meant it, filled her with something. Something she had not felt in years. And that was joy.

A simple compliment filled her with joys it showed that her efforts have potentially paid off. She struggled with her Japanese, but his comment alone made her feel light on her feet. To think she was so deprived of genuine compliments that she was reeling after just this one interaction.

What followed next had the teen practically falling over the railings. She watched in awe as Izuku seemingly broke the other teen below. Not in a physical way, but all it was all mental. She blessed her ears in that moment as she was able to hear everything Izuku was saying, although just barely. That battle that broke out between the two, and the startling conclusion was for the record books. Pony watched in slight worry as the heavily broken Izuku was carried out of the stadium. Even though the powerhouse that was Todoroki had won the bout, Izuku came out the other side more powerful than anyone else.

Pony could tell that the stoic facade of Todoroki was all a front. Just like her, he hid his many emotions behind a mask, but as she watched him turn and make his way out the stage. She knew then that Izuku's message had made it through. She could just make out his cheeks turn slightly upwards as he disappeared into the stadiums exit.

"Whoa, I can see why that boy interested you so Pony." Setsuna whistled. "But damn did he look beat the hell up. Shame hot stuff one, I felt mop head over there could have put up a better fight."

Pony remained silent as she looked back to the exit that lead into the halls. She assumed that Izuku would be taken into Recovery Girls temporary infirmary. They had all been informed about it if they felt ill or weak during the games.

"Well looks like the final match is between that Todoroki guy, and the ass." Tetsutetsu groaned out.

"Come on now, such vulgar language is unneeded..." Ibara scolded gently.

Pony tuned them all out as she walked back out into the halls. She could subtly hear Itsuka call to her once more, but she ignored her. Pony felt she had to see how Izuku was doing, and again all of this was confusing her. Her walking pace soon turned into a full on sprint as she hurriedly made her way to the small infirmary that was set up just down the way. In record time, she reached her destination, and she felt no shortness of breath as she made her way inside. Almost instantly she saw a seated Izuku being scolded by and treated by the old hero. She paused and looked at the sight in knowing wonder, already knowing that this was not the first time he had been in this situation.

Her presence was eventually noticed by a hissing Izuku as the old hero whacked him atop the head with her cane. As the old lady grumbled and made her way into a back room, Izuku offered her a curious look.

"Tsunotori?" He questioned.

Pony said nothing as she stared at the boys many injuries. She could see his arms and hands were riddled with many scars. His face looked dirtied and tired, and he had fresh scrapes all about his face. Once again, she realized she was staring when his look turned into an awkward one.

She shook her head. "O-Oh sorry...umm..." She paused, at a loss for words.

Why was she here exactly?

An uncomfortable silence filled the room as Recovery girl returned into the room. Before she started yelling at the boy again, she paused and looked to the new guest with intrigue.

"Pony sweetie?" She questioned. "Are you alright?"

"Hello Shuzenji-sensei..." Pony quickly greeted. "I-I'm okay."

The old hero gave the teen a long look before speaking up again. "Is this about...?" She trailed off gently.

Pony quickly shook her head. "Umm no. Its not about that."

Shuzenji nodded her head calmly. "Well if you don't need anything sweetie, then can you give us some privacy? I have to begin patching up some of the injuries this little brat acquired along his chest and back."

Izuku chuckled nervously as Pony blushed fiercely.

Pony offered the hero a small nod, before looking back to Izuku.

"I w-wanted to check on you." She felt herself stutter.

Izuku's own cheeks turned a small shade of red. "Oh! I appreciate it T-Tsunotori." He expressed sincerely. "I'm fine, this i-i-is not my first time being here..." He chuckled as the old hero sneered.

"And I swear this time youngin, if this happens again I assure you. I will not help you one bit!"

Pony giggled at the horrified look Izuku gave the elderly woman, but she knew the hero did not mean such a thing. It was in her nature to want to help anyone, its just she had a strong spot for children, or anyone younger than her for that matter. Pony knew firsthand how gentle the hero could be...

Pony eventually made her way back out of the room, a sense of relief filling her body. She paused at the exit, turning around to face the green haired teen that intrigued her so.

"I am glad you're alright Izuku." Pony commented as she gave him one last look.

She instantly smacked her forehead as she gave him a deep bow. "Sorry! I meant to s-say Midoriya...my bad."

Izuku looked up and away from the older heroes scowl and looked to Pony with gentle eyes.

"Its okay Tsunotori I understand." He replied back in Japanese. Though his face was heavily flushed over the first name call out.

He offered her a large and bright smile, bowing his head slightly himself. "It means much knowing you come check up on me." He chuckled bashfully, his face only growing warmer. "Darn, I feel I missed a word or two there..."

Pony felt her heart flutter. The way he talked back to her, in English once more, minus the typical grammar errors that came with learning a second language made her feel weak. His effort alone, and his heartfelt smile filled her bosom with warmth. She blushed herself, but teasingly smiled back nonetheless.

"You know, your English is wonderful! I'd say you're doing really well!"

She echoed the same thing he had told her almost an hour ago. She felt her heart rate skyrocket as his eyes expressed nothing but mirth and timidness from her comment. Before anyone could say something else, Pony turned tail and made her way out of the room. She clutched her face hotly, and almost knocked a stick of a man over as she rushed past him. She gave out a quick apology, but did not turn around to see if the man was hurt or upset. She feared Izuku would see her embarrassed state.

If she would have turned around, she would of been met with the look of a confused man, and a heavily flustered Izuku. Who had his eyes wide open in awe. Pony's words made his pulse quicken, similar to how Uraraka made him feel. He did not mind it. But, what really shocked him the most, and if anything what he found to be the cutest thing he had ever laid eyes on was the girls blushed face; and what he now realized was a fluffy bushy tail that trailed along behind her as she disappeared.